Everything In-between.

Chapter 1

~Mason's POV~

I fucking hated everything to do with my house.

I get why some people would love the house; the open floor plan on the first floor was gorgeous. The kitchen was huge and along with the living and dining room, it looked like it came straight from a magazine. The second story was all 4 bedrooms, each one with its own bathroom connected to it. The bedrooms were decorated stunningly as well- the house itself looked like it belonged in some home decorating article.

But I hated it. The walls have heard things that should have never been said- seen things that should have never been done. These walls have seen me broken and bruised, and they've seen what my father has done.

These walls deserve to burn.

My family is messed up. From the outside we look like the picture perfect family: My dad is the CEO of a successful law firm, my mother is a stay-at-home mom who makes sure dinner is done by 7 when my dad gets home, my brother and I were fully invested into sports with the chance of scholarships upon graduation....

But it's not perfect. No one can see the fear and the pain that's been etched into all of us, and no one could ever repair the damage that's been done.

Especially the damage done to my damn hair. I watched the black hair dye run down the drain and for a split moment I almost regret dying my hair.

Almost.

But fuck it. It felt fucking amazing to do something myself for once.

I stared at myself in the mirror, a grin glued to my face. I've been drastically altering my appearance slowly all summer long and I was starting to genuinely enjoy looking at myself for once. Even though I was forced to do most of it.

I quickly got ready, slipping on a plain white T shirt and some jeans before I made my way downstairs. Dying my hair right before school was probably the dumbest shit I've ever done.

"Honey, there's some PopTarts-"

My mom froze when I walked into the kitchen. I happily grabbed a PopTart and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

"Love ya." I said as I snatched my car keys. Her eyes were glued to my hair still as I clicked the front door shut behind me. I'd probably get some shit for it later, but the black was pretty damn permanent and there was nothing she could do that would make me change it again.

I started up my car and made my way to Toni's house, shoving the PopTart down my throat as I drove.

~Ellie's POV~

"Mason's gonna be here any damn minute Ellie so hurry up!"

I rolled my eyes as I hurriedly pulled on my hoodie and made my way into the living room.

"I thought you guys weren't speaking?" I asked as I slipped on my sneakers. Toni looked at me as if I had two heads and spoke to him in a different language.

"The hell made you think that? Just because he hasn't been around the house that much lately doesn't mean we stopped speaking." He snapped, checking his phone.

"Sheesh, I didn't mean to offend you Toni."

"It's just been rough on him lately." Toni said. "His dad should be coming back today from his trip and it's been stressing him out."